Full Breakdown
Josh Wander Pleads Guilty to Fraud in Collapse of 777 Partners
By Drooid · · How we work
Guilty Plea and Sentencing Schedule
Josh Wander, the 45-year-old co-founder of Miami-based 777 Partners, entered a guilty plea to wire fraud and securities fraud in Manhattan federal court. The plea resolves a case that alleged he participated in a scheme to defraud lenders and investors of at least $500 million. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 20 years, and Wander is scheduled to be sentenced on March 1 in Manhattan.
Background and Alleged Scheme
Wander co-founded 777 Partners in May 2015, initially focusing on underwriting and financing structured settlements. Through private credit facilities, the firm grew into a major buyer of such assets via its SuttonPark Capital unit. Beginning in 2018, Wander redirected capital from the structured-settlement business into diversified ventures—including streaming platforms, a budget airline, a film studio, and ownership stakes in football clubs such as Vasco da Gama (Brazil), Genoa C.F.C. (Italy) and Hertha BSC Berlin (Germany).
According to prosecutors, when those investments ran out of cash, Wander allegedly used restricted lender funds to cover shortfalls, “double-pledged” more than $350 million in assets already promised to other lenders, and instructed employees to alter bank statements to fabricate cash balances. He is also accused of soliciting over $100 million in outside investments through the sale of cumulative preferred-equity interests in 2021-2022.
Official Statements & Responses
The former chief financial officer, Damien Alfalla, had previously pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. 777 Partners has been overseen by independent restructuring advisers since Wander’s departure and filed for bankruptcy in August after creditors moved to liquidate the remaining assets. Earlier this year, Wander asked President Donald Trump for a presidential pardon. The case is captioned *US v. Wander*, 25-cr-00473, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).
Data and Financial Summary
Verbatim Quotes
“At the time that I did these things I knew what I was doing was wrong and I am deeply sorry for my conduct,” — Josh Wander, partners co-founder